The inaugural Meatball Challenge of Fairfield County took place on June 5th at the Factory Underground in Norwalk. There were 11 challengers from all over Fairfield County (including 1 New Yorker whose food truck will be ballin out in New Haven). Each had their own unique creations, but there could only be one reigning champ.
But first, the contenders:
![Chef Michael Lucente of Barcelona's Albondigas, made with pork butt, short ribs, veal breast and Mangalica ham](https://i0.wp.com/www.deecuisine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/deeCuisine-meatball-challenge-norwalk-20-1024x682.jpg?resize=785%2C522)
Chef Michael Lucente of Barcelona’s Albondigas, made with pork butt, short ribs, veal breast and Mangalica ham
Strada 18 served a Classic Italian Meatball made of beef, pork and veal in a house made tomato sauce on top of grilled fontina polenta cakes. Chef David Cingari of David’s Soundview Catering served Bombay Curry Chicken Balls.
Quite a list, and yes we tasted all of them. And we had to try our top picks twice: Meatball & Co, The Spread, and Bar Sugo. Who did we vote for? The Spread.
At the end of the night, the votes were tallied and the winners announced:
2nd Runner Up was a tie between Saugatuck Craft Butchery with their Backyard BBQ Balls and David’s Soundview Catering with their Bombay Curry Chicken Balls.
![Saugatuck Craft Butchery](https://i0.wp.com/www.deecuisine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/deeCuisine-meatball-challenge-norwalk-30-1024x682.jpg?resize=785%2C522)
Saugatuck Craft Butchery with their Backyard BBQ Balls
1st Runner Up honors go to The Spread and their Veal and Ricotta Meatballs.
![The Spread](https://i0.wp.com/www.deecuisine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/deeCuisine-meatball-challenge-norwalk-33-1024x682.jpg?resize=785%2C522)
The Spread with their Veal and Ricotta Meatballs
And finally, the champion and 1st Place Winner…
![Bar Sugo Meatball with Gouda, Red Onion Jam and Truffle Oil](https://i0.wp.com/www.deecuisine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/deeCuisine-meatball-challenge-norwalk-26-1024x682.jpg?resize=785%2C522)
Bar Sugo and their winning Meatball with Gouda, Red Onion Jam and Truffle Oil
Stay tuned. Next year they will be rolling it out in New Haven.